Coats Votes for Bipartisan Defense Authorization Bill Banning Guantanamo Detainees from U.S.

Statement

Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today voted for a revised version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), bipartisan legislation that establishes the budget and policies for the Department of Defense. The bill, which the House of Representatives approved last week, today passed the Senate 91 to 3 and now heads to President Obama's desk.

"Congress has united behind this legislation with strong support from both parties in both chambers," said Coats. "This bipartisan legislation will fund our troops and ensure that the United States military is ready and able to show strength around the globe. President Obama should sign it into law."

Earlier this year, Congress passed NDAA legislation, but President Obama vetoed the bipartisan bill last month. The version passed by the Senate today reflects the spending levels Congress approved in the recently passed budget agreement.

The legislation also includes an explicit congressional ban on transferring detainees from the Guantanamo Bay prison to the United States through 2016.

"There is bipartisan Congressional opposition to bringing terrorists to American soil," said Coats. "Moving Guantanamo detainees into the United States poses significant security risks."

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